When life is busy, you have to stay organized. Daily planning helps you meet your family’s needs while still taking care of YOU. There are many reasons to use a daily planner.
Maybe you’re thinking, “why talk about a planner now, in the middle of the year?” Besides, summertime is lax and careless for most of us. That means more spontaneity and less planning.
But time flies and it’s back-to-school before you know it. In fact, the stores are brimming with school supplies right now. Colorful notebooks, calendars, and planners to schedule your days and activities. It’s the perfect time to get organized.
You might know the basics of using a planner, but have you discovered the benefits? Today, we’ll look at 13 reasons to use a daily planner, whether it’s a big-box find or my favorite: Homemaker’s Friend.
Let’s get started.
📋 DISCLOSURE – I received a free copy of Homemaker’s Friend in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, the opinion expressed on this page is my own.
13 Reasons to Use a Daily Planner
Donna Otto, a home and life management expert, wrote Get More Done in Less Time. She recommended using a daily planner to track appointments and commitments. “It will be your friend for life,” she promised.
Everyone should have a daily planner, even homemakers. Especially homemakers. A flexible planner keeps you on track as you juggle all your responsibilities.
You can use a planner in several different ways. It doesn’t have to be complicated, fancy, or expensive, and there are hundreds of planners to choose from.
I use Homemaker’s Friend, a planner created by Sue Hooley. Designed for the active homemaker, it organizes my days and declutters my mind. I’ll tell you more about it later in this post.
For now, let’s look at some reasons why everyone, including YOU, should use a daily planner. Here are 13 good ones.
📋 DISCLOSURE – This page has affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Read more here.
1. Maintain Workable Schedules
Scheduling is the key to time management. You get the best results when you rank your responsibilities and plan your tasks. Use a daily planner to schedule appointments, errands, tasks, and events.
2. Manage Your Time Better
Does it seem like there is never enough time to get things done? Make sure you’re scheduling your time the right way. Set definite deadlines and due dates. This can help you stay on task and finish jobs to completion.
3. Increase Your Productivity
Many people think of productivity as it relates to work, but it’s important for your personal life, too. This can include decluttering, organizing, or cleaning your home. A daily planner keeps you on track as you complete each task and move on to the next one.
4. Manage Your Stress Level
Stress, in its many forms, has a common denominator – the feeling of being overwhelmed. This is often due to a hectic schedule. Use a daily planner to stay on task and lessen your anxiety. Schedule a few self-care activities, too.
5. Enjoy Health Benefits
Use your planner to track your diet, exercise, and sleep. Schedule regular doctor and dental appointments. Schedule time for outdoor activities. Boost your mental health through daily planner journaling.
6. Develop Your Creativity
When you stick to a schedule for mandatory obligations, you gain a little free time for YOU. Time for engaging in a hobby or learning a new skill. You can even get creative with the planner itself, dressing it up with pictures or stickers.
7. Maintain Reliable Records
Many people use their daily planners as a record of their appointments, notes, and tasks. Homemaker’s Friend has tabbed sections that make record keeping easy. It’s one of many things I like about it.
8. Create Shopping Lists
A daily planner is a good place for a shopping list. Create a comprehensive list, or jot down just what you need for a project, meal, or event. Homemaker’s Friend provides perforated shopping lists for this purpose.
9. Plan Your Meal Menus
Menu planning and shopping lists go hand-in-hand. I often combine them in my daily planner, which goes to the store with me – either as a spiral-bound book, or as a removable perforated grocery list.
10. Track Your Business Progress
If you run a blog or home-based business, a daily planner helps you track your business progress. It helps you highlight problems and celebrate achievements. It makes work-life balance easier.
11. Enjoy a Sense of Accomplishment
A daily planner is great for motivation. Each time you cross out a task or mark it complete, you experience a sense of accomplishment. You’ll enjoy your free time more after you take care of your responsibilities.
12. Document Your Prayer Time
Do you have a regular quiet time with God? A daily planner is a good way to document your prayer time with Him. Each time you pray, write down what comes to mind. Your planner can also hold a list of people to pray for and items to pray about.
13. Store Data in One Place
A daily planner is a one-stop shop for busy wives, moms, and homemakers. From calendars and schedules to lists and notes – Homemaker’s Friend has it all. Let’s take a closer look at this flexible daily planner.
Homemaker’s Friend Daily Planner
I’ve been using Homemaker’s Friend as my daily planner for seven years. It has everything I need for my daily work as a homemaker and blogger. I love the book’s layout, spiral binding, and cover design.
With a price under $20, the planner is a bargain to boot. The compact size (5.5 X 8.5 inches) is practical, too. It’s so easy to tuck into my purse or computer bag when I leave the house.
The 2024 Daily Planner Overview
Homemaker’s Friend hits the mark on so many reasons to use a daily planner. It contains seven tabbed sections:
- Yearly Calendar
- Monthly Calendar
- Weekly Planner
- Household Tasks
- Projects and Events
- Information / Notes
- Shopping Lists
Bonuses include perforated corners, an elegant magnetic bookmark, and a back pocket for notes and receipts.
I also love the inspirational quotes and Bible verses sprinkled throughout the pages. What’s more, the interior illustrations are pretty to look at.
Free Menu Planning Worksheets
Hooley also created FREE menu planning worksheets for readers who want them. That’s 13 months of menu sheets that match the planner’s design. Click here for a free download.
Admittedly, menu planning takes time, effort, and forethought. But it saves time in the long run. “It’s a work in progress that takes practice,” Hooley said. “But the more you do it, the easier it becomes.”
Visit Homemaker’s Friend (or shop Amazon) to get YOUR copy of the 2024 daily planner. Go ahead and buy a few extras, too. They make great Christmas gifts 🎄 for the homemakers in your life.
Just two extras gets you free shipping – the publisher offers free shipping on orders over $49. For Amazon orders, Prime members also enjoy free shipping.
Conclusion
There you go – 13 reasons to use a daily planner to manage your busy life. There are many good planners out there, but I recommend Homemaker’s Friend. Through the years, it has helped me balance homemaking and blogging with everything else. It really is a “trusted friend.” ◻️
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Now It’s Your Turn
Thank you for reading my post. Now it’s YOUR turn to chime in. What are your reasons to use a daily planner? Which feature of Homemaker’s Friend appeals to you the most?
Let’s fill the comments with friendly conversation. Scroll down to leave a reply, ask a question, or just say hello. And if you liked this post, please give it a share.
Blessings, Annette
📋 NOTE – You are reading “Homemaker’s Friend: 13 Reasons to Use a Daily Planner” on Savoring Home. This post was published in August 2023.
Photo Sources
- Artjafara / Getty Images | Canva | License
Christmas is 17 weeks away, but some people start their Christmas shopping in September. Get a jump start on YOUR Christmas shopping with Homemaker’s Friend. It’s the perfect daily planner for the homemakers in your life.